Target's chief executive Gregg Steinhafel said that an interim information officer will be named while the company "overhauls" how it protects customer information.

"While we are still in the process of an ongoing investigation, we recognize that the information security environment is evolving rapidly," Steinhafel told The Times.

Jacob did not mention last year's data breach in her resignation letter.

"This is a difficult decision after 12 rewarding years with the company I love," Jacob said in the letter. "But this is a good time for a change."

The Associated Press reported that Target's shares slipped 73 cents to $60.60 on Wednesday when Jacob announced her departure. Overall, Target's stock is down a little more than 3 percent since the breach occurred.

The disclosures made Target customers wary and caused revenues to tumble 46 percent in the fourth quarter.

In response, the retailer pushed forward its plan for chip-based credit card technology to make cards more secure. Target has also shuffled the roles of its executives, such as divvying the assurance risk and compliance responsibilities.